Landlord not fixing bathroom.

Tink_x

Our main bathroom in our flat has been left in this mess for four months now:

https://ibb.co/b1VTYz

We do have an ensuite shower and toilet to use but it is very very small and we didn’t mind for the first couple of weeks while things were being sorted...
I have numerous text messages with Landlord about the main bathroom being fixed. But nothing has happened and I just cannot believe it’s been left in this mess for 4 months. We have continued to pay our rent and haven’t asked for any deductions.

Where do we stand notice wise? Would we still legally have to give 1 months (2 months?!) notice to move out, even though the living conditions aren’t really upto healthy and safety standards? It has an awful rotted wood smell too. It’s been awful during these hot few weeks.

Grezz24

I am not an expert in this but id start here:

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/what_to_do_if_your_landlord_wont_do_repairs

HampshireH

If you had been left without working facilities yes.

However you do have a working bathroom in the shape of an ensuite. You may be able to negotiate with your landlord for a rebate but the property does remain habitable so not sure you could end your tenancy without notice based on this.

What is the current situation with the landlord and have you actually put anything in writing rather than by text?

pmlindyloo

OMG what a mess!

Yes, follow the Shelter advice and be cheeky and write and ask for a reduction in your rent.

As regards ending your tenancy then it depends on what kind of tenancy you have and what it says in your contract.

Have a read of this to find out more.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=67759913&postcount=4

Tink_x

Thanks for the replies
I!!!8217;m not entirely sure what contract we are on to be honest. We started On a fixed term 6months contract, When that was coming to an end Iasked him what was happening and he kept saying he!!!8217;ll sort a new contract and come round, but never did. I kept chasing and he said oh we don!!!8217;t need a new contract, it!!!8217;s just rolling month now.
We!!!8217;ve been here 6 years now.

pmlindyloo

So it appears that you are on a periodic contract (rolling contract),

You need to look at your original contract - the 6 months term one - and see if there is anything in there about what happens when the 6 months end and the notice you have to give if you continue on the periodic tenancy.

Write out the wording for us if you are unsure.

If there is nothing in the contract then follow the advice given in the link.

If you wish to stay there you could always contact your landlord and ask if you could surrender the tenancy (get this in writing if they agree) because of the bathroom situation. There may be room for negotiating as he will not get another tenant until the bathroom is fixed.

Of course you may just want to move out anyway after giving the correct notice.

What caused the problem with the bathroom?

Tink_x

There was a leak. We first told him about this in August 2017. The tiles on the floor started to crack and sink a little. We kept telling him and telling him but he didn!!!8217;t bother to investigate it until March this year. The leak was coming from the main waste pipe for the building (lovely) and from two other pipes in our bathroom.
Leak wasn!!!8217;t fixed until June. Can!!!8217;t believe he let it get so bad.

AlexMac

A tenant in a rental flat which I own went down the route described by Shelter and called in the Environmental Health Officer for much more trivial leak-related dmage then your photo showed.

The first I knew of it was when I got a letter from the Council EHO threatening prosecution if it wasn't fixed.

I was really hacked off, as I had sub-let to a Social Landlord, a Housing Association, on a 6-year licence which meant they should have handled all repirs and been the only point of call for their tenant,

So I had every sympathy for the tenant, and none for their incompetent social landlord!

Did the trick through; lets hope that your Council is equally efficient and robust and effective. And if they need nudging, try your Ward Councillor via their local surgery or the other contacts on your Council website; Councillors theoretically run the show so can kick their EHO's a55.

Or just give a month's notice as is your right on a stautory periodic tenancy (which you are now on). And make plain that you'll stand no nonsense about your deposit if the LL messes you about- go straight to the Deposit Protection scheme (lots about this on this Forum's search bar)

Tink_x

Thanks for that Alex

alandaniel132

if we insist landlord to repair, landlord can give 2 months notice to kick tenant out.
Then tenant have to find another place and more expensive like pay LA fees, moving house, check out fees

csgohan4

alandaniel132 wrote: »

if we insist landlord to repair, landlord can give 2 months notice to kick tenant out.
Then tenant have to find another place and more expensive like pay LA fees, moving house, check out fees

Is there legislation against revenge evictions?